3.30.2011

Along with the platform trend, the thick heel trend, and the wedge trend, another, really comforting trend has occurred. Brands that have traditionally been comfort brands (read- ugly, orthopedic, practical) have been making some shoes that accomplish style without pain. Gentle Souls and Sofft are two of the standouts but you never know who is going to surprise you so it's worth taking a look at any you come across. Yesterday, I was in Clarks buying some shoes for my son and came across an adorable pair of raffia heeled sandals for a little over $100. I swear, I can find something to buy for myself anywhere.

3.28.2011

Olivier Theyskens, former designer for Rochas, has had a pretty impressive career especially given his young age. His new collaboration with Theory is really exciting because it brings an edge and unexpectedness to the clothes that have never really been there before. Theory is more known for it's classic, go-to pieces that embrace simplicity and practicality more than cutting-edge fashion. But Theyskens has managed to keep that level of minimalism while making you really, really excited to put the items on. I have a lot of favorites but this leather jacket- in the softest, most buttery leather I have ever felt- tops the list thanks to the addition of the most simple details. Nothing but a thin, white lapel with matching cuff details makes all the difference.

3.27.2011

3.24.2011

Junior Friends is holding it's 12th Annual Toast to Fashion tonight to benefit the Campagna Center in Alexandria, Virginia. Event begins at 7 pm at Belle Haven Country Club. Tickets are $60 at the door. (I think this gets you two free drinks!) It might sound pricey but it's for a great cause. This year, JF has asked me to style the show so I'll be there helping put it together. If that's any extra motivation to go, great! If not, maybe next year. :)

3.23.2011

Following the 70's-inspired look that's big right now, high-waisted, wide-legged pants have made a big comeback. They can look like a lot after years of skinny jeans but, trust me, they are really flattering. The key is making sure the proportions are right for you. The width of the leg that a person who is 5'8" can pull off is probably different than for someone who is 5'1". But the biggest proportion to pay attention to is how high the waist hits you. If you have a big chest, avoid a waistline that comes all the way up to your bosom. Remember, anything almost to your bellybutton and up is going to be "high," especially in the context of pants that have been showing our butt cracks when we bend over for the past ridiculous number of years. The tailor is your friend when it comes to this look because the hem length and fit at the waist should be impeccable. In the end, you will look effortlessly cool and, most importantly, COMFORTABLE!

The Today Show is having a contest (it could even be over, I'm not sure) to go to London the week of the royal wedding. It got me thinking about what it would be like to attend the royal wedding if you hadn't ever been to an event like that. Like most of us haven't. I thought, "Fun! I'll make the outfit I would wear!" But then I realized I don't know the first thing about the rules of dressing for a royal wedding. I've searched online- just a little since I'm not really going- and was not able to find a whole lot. But I did ascertain that sleeves were important since it was at Westminster Abbey (preferably long), gloves, and a hat, of course. I still don't know if people change for the reception. So this is my uneducated attempt at creating my outfit if I were going. I must admit, I don't know why this interests me because the royals in general don't. But I do love a wedding and, since I like going to them all, it seemed like a good opportunity to dream up a new fancy outfit.

Btw- I know it's April in London and I would definitely need a wrap but I didn't see one I liked and I figured 2 hours was long enough putting together an outfit for something I'm not really attending.

3.19.2011

I love the color purple. I have a purple couch, my daughter's room is purple, and one of my all-time favorite dresses is a simple silk tank dress is rich, dark purple. And now, to add to my list of favorite purple things, is purple nail polish. When I saw it on J Lo a couple of weeks ago, I loved it. Happily, the shades are not grapey but, instead, vary from greyish purple to lavenders, to shimmery purples. I like them all so it was hard to choose but I finally went with one that wasn't overly bright; I didn't want to look like a kid playing in makeup.

This is the one I chose. It's by Dior and called Purple Mix. I hope I get to try it out this week!

3.17.2011

I love, love, love long dresses. I'm not so into the plain jersey maxi dress but, give it a pattern and a cool cut, and you can't beat it for statement-making. I've shown you a picture before of one that I have that belonged to my mom back in the day. I've worn it with a leather jacket and leather obi belt to an event and, more recently styled it with blush colored platforms and a fox fur coat.

And I have another more casual maxi dress by L.A.M.B. that I've worn a million times with and without belts, with a military jacket one time and a blue floral cardigan another, with gold flat sandals and with brown platform peep toes. It is endlessly versatile. Then, today, I saw another one that I could not pass up. After it caught my eye the first time, I shook it off and said it wasn't necessary. But I walked by again and noticed it was only $200! I was shopping for clients and they had a promotion at the store that gave you $50 off every purchase over $500. That would make the dress $150! So, of course, I tried it on. And, of course, I fell in love with it. Here it is- my new favorite maxi dress. I can't wait to play with it!

3.14.2011

After spending last week and Saturday working with two clients on their business wardrobes, I am reminded of how much fun it can be dressing for the office if you put a little effort in to it. I had so much fun choosing dressy, conservative pieces and then twisting them to make them interesting. It actually had me reminiscing about my days in an office and how I actually enjoyed suits and suit-like outfits despite my office's business casual environment.

A couple of pieces that worked for both my clients (one is a more casual office and one is a very conservative office) stayed within the "rules" but had a very distinct and current style.

Of course, the other key to putting together your office wardrobe is making sure the pieces all switch back and forth between each other. And, of course, don't forget your accessories. It is the number one thing you can do to make a work outfit interesting especially when the clothing tends to be more neutral.

3.11.2011

I've been dying to tell you all about my new find. Neu Lash! This is a product that is like Latisse but available without a prescription. I was getting my makeup done at Neimans at the very end of December when I saw it. I decided to give it a try and I am SO happy with the results. It comes in a mascara-like tube but, instead of a wand, it has a small thin brush. You swipe a thin, watery-like substance right along your top lash line once in the night before bed. The first couple of days, my eyelids felt a teensy bit irritated along the lash line but that was gone pretty quickly. Within two weeks, I started to notice longer lashes- my friends did not, despite my exclamations about it. However, after four weeks, it was undeniable. And, after six weeks, they were full and long and AMAZING especially when I have on mascara. The reason I waited to tell you is that I wanted to figure what the cost per month worked out to be. The tube was $150. So far, it's still going and I'm two and a half months in. I'm pretty confident the tube has another two weeks in it at least which would make the cost $50 a month- a far cry from the $150 that I thought it was going to be per month. My only disclaimer is that there can be side effects that the paperwork will warn you about the biggest being that light eyes can experience darker pigmentation. I have light eyes but have had no issues with this thus far.

3.09.2011

When I was pregnant with my first child I purchased this necklace by Dori Csengari knowing that I was going to be more limited in my clothing options. It served exactly the purpose I wanted it to; every single time I wore it, I got tons of compliments. Four years later, it is still my go-to necklace and is actually falls in to the "tribal" necklace trend that is so big right now. It was expensive but very worth it.

Other statement pieces don't cost as much like this serpent necklace I picked up for $50 on sale or these yellow and turquoise earrings by Patch that cost $35. So keep your eyes peeled for something that catches them and don't hesitate to buy it.

3.06.2011

To say denim is a trend seems a little ridiculous given how it has permeated almost every occasion for dressing we have. I would say it is more a way of life. However, certain denim styles do come and go. A lot has been made of the wide leg jean right now and I am definitely a big fan. As a matter of fact, check out these pictures that my very talented (and available for hire!) sister-in-law took of me in my new favorite pair for spring. They are really lightweight and flowy. Here are a couple of other denim trends that are big right now and some fun ways to wear them.

The denim (chambray) shirt- I like the lighter weight versions for summer in a tunic style. They are also perfect as a pool cover up.

Colored denim- My favorite comes in red and is cropped. I think red is a really versatile color in terms of working with all different types of styles ie with stripes for a nautical/preppy look, with tunics for a beach look, with a peasant top for a bohemian look, with a letter jacket and studs for a retro punk look.

Long denim skirt- Worn with an airy top, fun hat, and clog sandals, this makes a great 70's-vibe lunch-out-with-the-girls outfit.

About Me

I think about fashion... a lot. And I love to shop. So much that I do it for a living. I find inspiration in fashion. And I find that many things inspire my style and the way I style others. I take joy in dressing each one of my clients' individual personalities. It is so much easier to dress a real person than a mannequin! But it is in the every day that I find my true creativity- movies, art, music, and mood to the more mundane like what I have going on and who I'm going to see. I believe fashion should always be fun even when you are dressing seriously.
For more information about my services, please email me at kathryn@kathryn-martin.com.